Tag: Shaun Dion Hamilton

2021 Lions roster cuts: Shaun Dion Hamilton to I.R. among injury-related moves

Shaun Dion Hamilton had a good chance to make the team

The Lions finished their series of moves to get to the 85-man roster deadline on Tuesday.

The most notable of the moves is linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton, who was placed on the injured reserve list. Hamilton consistently performed well all summer and was considered likely to make the 53-man roster by most analysts. Because he’s been placed on injured reserve prior to the final roster cuts, Hamilton is now out for the year.

Wide receiver Chad Hansen was waived with an injury settlement, while defensive lineman Michael Barnett was waived. Barnett was just added to the team last week.

These cuts follow some injury-related moves from Detroit on Monday that lowered the roster to 87.

On Monday, the Lions placed offensive lineman Evan Boehm on injured reserve and waived tight end Charlie Taumoepeau with a non-football injury designation. Taumoepeau was injured in a car accident where cornerback Alex Brown faces charges as the driver. Brown was released on Sunday after the incident.

Snap count notes: Breaking down the Lions reps in the preseason opener

The snap counts for the Lions in the preseason opener could be a clue to the final roster composition

One of the key factors to analyze following a preseason game is the snap count for players. Who played, how much did they play at their positions and what volume of reps did the roster bubble players get on special teams?

For the Detroit Lions in their preseason opener, 13 players sat out. Many were sidelined with injuries, including starting RB D’Andre Swift, second-round DE Levi Onwuzurike and nose tackle John Penisini. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and veteran DE Michael Brockers also sat it out, with head coach Dan Campbell not wanting to risk injury to his key performers.

Offense

The starters played two full series, 22 snaps in total. None of the regular starters, from QB Jared Goff to RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, reentered the game after those two drives.

Two backup offensive tackles, Dan Skipper and Darrin Paulo, topped the snap counts. Each played 47 snaps. Reserve lineman Matt Nelson played 30 at guard, though he’s generally expected to be both a guard and tackle. Second-year guard Logan Stenberg also played 30 and fared fairly well.

Tom Kennedy topped all skill position players with 36 snaps. Fellow wideout Sage Surratt played 30.

In the battle for the No. 3 TE spot, the Lions gave Alize Mack the first chance to prove himself. He played 23 snaps on offense and another 10 on special teams. His competitors:

  • Charlie Taumoepeau, 17 on offense and nine on special teams
  • Brock Wright, 15 and 13
  • Hunter Thedford, 12 and one

Mack had the only passing target, catching one throw for exactly one yard.

At running back, newcomer Craig Reynolds logged 14 snaps. That’s three more than seventh-round rookie Jermar Jefferson, who has been slowed by injury in practice recently. Dedrick Mills played 11 and Javon Leake, who served as the return specialist in the second half, was on the field for just two offensive snaps.

Defense

It felt like OLB Julian Okwara never left the field. In reality, Okwara was only on the field for 49 defensive snaps. That’s still the most on the Lions, who played the starters for the first two series exclusively as well. Romeo Okwara, Trey Flowers, Jamie Collins, Tracy Walker and the other regular starters played 11 snaps.

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New CB Nickell Robey-Coleman was on the field for 17 reps. Undrafted rookie A.J. Parker, who started as the nickel corner, topped that with 23 on defense and another 12 on special teams. The Lions coaches clearly wanted to see what Parker could do in a game. He was out-repped third-round rookie Ifeatu Melifonwu, who played 30 and 13. Another undrafted corner, Jerry Jacobs, also played 23, while Bobby Price played 17 in his first action at CB after moving from safety.

Rookie LB Derrick Barnes played just eight reps on defense, though he was quite active and visible on those snaps. Veteran Jalen Reeves-Maybin also played just eight on defense, but he logged 11 special teams snaps. Jahlani Tavai matched the special teams reps and was on the field for 22 defensive snaps.

Of note, LB Shaun Dion Hamilton did not play on special teams. It’s generally thought that he, Tavai and Reeves-Maybin are competing for the same spots. Undrafted rookie Tavante Beckett took Hamilton’s 11 punt and kick team reps. Second-year DE Jashon Cornell, expected to be a roster bubble player for the final 53, also did not play on special teams while logging 20 reps on defense.

Winners and losers from Detroit Lions training camp through the 1st two weeks

With the first two weeks of training camp in the books for the Detroit Lions, here are some of the winners and losers thus far

Heading into the second week of training camp for the Detroit Lions, we get a feel for how players perform and how they will fit on the roster. We have a new coaching staff in place, it has been a completely different vibe than what was there previously. The team seems more lively and upbeat and not just doing drills for the sake of doing them.

Some of the players have risen to the challenge and risen above others to claim their stake on one of those coveted roster spots. On the other side of the coin, either injuries or competition has gotten the better of the players leaving to question their status.

Here some of the winners and losers so far through training camp.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn: ‘I’m excited about the guys we have’ at off-ball LB

Glenn singled out Anthony Pittman and Shaun Dion Hamilton in his post-practice press conference

New Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has a lot of work to do in reforming one of the NFL’s worst defenses from a year ago. Glenn is working with a lot of players who just didn’t click in 2020 under Matt Patricia in his passive read-and-react scheme. Many Lions fans took great umbrage with the linebacking play, and it was largely deserved. But Glenn sees a lot of potential at the off-ball backer role through the first week of training camp.

When asked about the inside linebackers, Glenn did not hold back.

“I’ll tell you this, I’m excited about the guys we have,” Glenn said. He then talked up Anthony Pittman, who has consistently shown ability and speed in coverage throughout the summer.

“One guy that really stands out is Pittman. He’s making plays on the ball. He’s running to the ball. You see the physical nature of him. There’s a lot of things about that player that I like,” Glenn said.

Glenn then discussed the crowded field at off-ball linebacker, also mentioning Shaun Dion Hamilton for his strong play since joining the Lions this offseason.

“There’s a lot of competition at that spot,” Glenn continued. “A lot of times you find players, especially at that spot — (they) might not be household names, but you give those guys a shot, let them compete and we’ll see what shakes out.”

Pittman and Hamilton have been performing well in reps, but they’re both chasing after veteran Jamie Collins. Now wearing No. 8, Collins has been quite impressive in camp, too. Newcomer Alex Anzalone gets more of the first-team reps with Collins than anyone else. Holdover Jahlani Tavai is also in the mix and has remade his body in hopes of revitalizing his career, but he appears behind both Hamilton and Pittman based on both performance in camp and from Glenn’s words on Tuesday.

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Derrick Barnes injury allowing other Lions LBs to shine in his absence

With rookie Derrick Barnes sidelined with a hamstring injury, other Detroit Lion LBs are taking advantage of the extra playing time

With padded practices beginning, this will be the first look we get of full-speed contact from the new-look Detroit Lions. It will give us a sense of where some of these players are since the likes of two-hand touch football aren’t hindering them. There are quite a few areas people usually gravitate towards, either be the running game or the first taste of football for the rookies.

Unfortunately, we will have to wait and see how one of the rookies is progressing. Derrick Barnes has been dealing with a lingering hamstring issue that has caused him to be out from training camp so far. However, Coach Dan Campbell has assured everyone it’s not a major issue and precautious with the young rookie.

When the Lions traded up to draft Barnes in the fourth round in this year’s draft, they obviously saw something from the linebacker who could be a key defender for the defense. He is a versatile defender that could fit nicely as an off-ball linebacker and also offers an edge-rushing prowess.

With Barnes losing out on meaningful reps during practice, it may slow down his progress in getting used to the NFL speed. In turn, that may cause him to drop down the totem pole and lose on some meaningful playing time, especially if others step up during Barnes’ absence.

With Barnes out and Jalen Reeves-Maybin on the reserve/COVID-19 list, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Anthony Pittman and Tavante Beckett have been taking advantage of those extra practice reps. They might not have seen those reps if it weren’t for some injuries above them.

Hamilton was claimed off of waivers earlier in the year and has made noise in training camp so far with his play speed and coverage ability. If Hamilton continues on the trend he is currently on and shows off his strong coverage skills, he could find a way on the roster.

Pittman is walking into his third season with the team but has seen action in just one game. From the reports, he looks much quicker and plays in his more natural position at inside linebacker versus outside linebacker last year. In addition, he has shown improvement in his coverage abilities and looks to be playing much quicker. Tavante Beckett may be a long shot as an undrafted free agent this year, but he is getting a much more extended look that surely most people would’ve thought and could earn a practice squad spot because of it.

The Lions are top-heavy, with the linebacker depth chart with Jamie Collins and Alex Anzalone working the inside and Romeo Okwara and Trey Flowers manning the outside. Barnes may have ended up competing with Alex Anzalone for the inside spot if he had a strong camp, but now that might be looking like a pipe dream with how many valuable reps he has missed to get acclimated to the NFL and the defensive play-calling.

With Barnes viewed as one of the future building blocks for the defense, it would be unreasonable to rush him back on the field when he is not 100 percent. It will hinder him from coming into the season, losing out on those much-needed reps, and may see less playing time because of it heading into the season, but the Lions have a strong core on top to let Barnes heal up and adjust.

With the extended look from Hamilton, Pittman, and Beckett, they are taking advantage and showing the Lions what they have where they might not have been able to if not for Barnes being out. It is something to keep your eye on throughout training camp and see if they can find a role, especially if Barnes’ injury lingers.

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Detroit Lions claim LB Shaun Dion Hamilton off waivers

The Detroit Lions announced that they have claimed third-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton off waivers. Hamilton was recently released by the Washington Football Team.

The Detroit Lions announced that they have claimed third-year linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton off waivers. Hamilton was recently released by the Washington Football Team.

Hamilton was drafted by Washington in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft (pick 197 overall), and still has one year remaining on his rookie deal — which carries a base contract number of $920,000 — making him an affordable option as competition on the roster.

Hamilton started over two years at Alabama, playing an off-the-ball MIKE role, but two ACL injuries raised some concerns about his long-term availability and dropped his draft stock.

His time in the NFL has been mainly as a reserve linebacker but he is a valuable five-phase special teams contributor. He played in all 16 games his first two seasons in Washington, then 14 more this year before being place on injured reserve. Overall, he has 46 games played, with seven starts at linebacker.

The Lions enter the offseason with three linebackers under contract — Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai, and Christian Jones — as well as Anthony Pittman signed to a futures deal, but the group is expected to be overhauled with a new regime headed to Detroit.

At a minimum, Hamilton will offer the Lions a player capable of contributing in multiple phases of special teams, as well as competition at linebacker in training camp.

LB Shaun Dion Hamilton ruled out with elbow injury vs. Seattle

Shaun Dion Hamilton has been ruled out with an elbow injury, now leaving Washington’s defense in dire straights at the LB position.

The Washington Football Team was already incredibly thin at the linebacker position coming into this game, with both Cole Holcomb and Kevin Pierre-Louis ruled out with injuries on Friday, but now they’re in even more dire straights, with Shaun Dion Hamilton being ruled out as well.

In SDH’s place, expect rookie Khaleke Hudson to step up more, as he has a bit already in this game. Washington trails big with the Seahawks able to do what they want in the running game. Washington is going to need to play some perfect football in order to get back into this one.

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Rivera says he is “concerned at the play of the linebackers” after loss to Giants

Washington’s linebacking core combined for just 18 total tackles on Sunday, and Rivera thinks their being too hesitant on the field.

Coming into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, the Washington Football Team had one of the top defenses in the NFL, with a No. 4 ranking in DVOA and a cornerback who led the league in interceptions.

So what happened? How were the Giants able to put up 23 points and over 160 rushing yards? The answer is in the middle of the defense, and it’s something that is concerning for Ron Rivera.

“In all honesty, I’m concerned at the play of the linebackers,” Rivera said, via NBC Sports Washington. “I think it’s a group of guys that are hesitant and still aren’t pulling the trigger and letting it go and just getting downhill and making some plays.”

That group of linebackers is Cole Holcomb, Jon Bostic, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Shaun Dion Hamilton. They combined for just 18 total tackles on Sunday and left a lot to be desired at the position. Going forward, with two former NFL linebackers now coaching the team in Rivera and Jack Del Rio, there is an assumption that things may get better, but comments like these make you think about the upcoming NFL draft, and the guy that many people are pegging Washington to select in LB Micah Parsons out of Penn State.

They need some more talent at the position, and he can bring it.

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Alabama football countdown: 20 days until kickoff

We are 20 days from Alabama football kicking off its season on the road against the Missouri Tigers to start a 10-game, SEC only schedule.

There has been a lot of uncertainty surrounding college football over the last couple of months, but as of right now, the season still looks like it’s a go for the SEC, ACC and Big 12.

So, what does that mean? It means that we can continue the Countdown to Kickoff en route to the Crimson Tide — and the rest of the SEC — getting things underway on Sept. 26.

With it now being Sept. 6, we are officially 20 days away from the start!

Redshirt freshman defensive back DJ Douglas out of Montgomery (Ala.) currently wears the No. 20 for Alabama. There have been others to wear the number during the Nick Saban era, but Shaun Dion Hamilton is one of the more notable players.

The linebacker starred for the Crimson Tide on the gridiron from 2014-17, and while he struggled with several major injuries, he’s still considered a fan-favorite. During his career, Hamilton produced 134 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Oct 21, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton (20) and defensive lineman Raekwon Davis (99) wrap up Tennessee Volunteers running back John Kelly (4) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

2020 Alabama football schedule

  • Sept. 26 at Missouri (Columbia, Mizz.)
  • Oct. 3 vs. Texas A&M (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 10 at Ole Miss (Oxford, Miss.)
  • Oct. 17 vs. Georgia (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Oct. 24 at Tennessee (Knoxville, Tenn.)
  • Oct. 31 vs. Miss State (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 14 at LSU (Baton Rouge, La.)
  • No. 21 vs. Kentucky (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Nov. 28 vs. Auburn (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)
  • Dec. 5 at Arkansas (Fayetteville, Ark.)

Stay tuned for more updates from Roll Tide Wire, part of the USA TODAY Sports College Wire network!

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Shaun Dion Hamilton was better than you think in 2019

Shaun Dion Hamilton had some impressive Pro Football Focus grades when it came to linebackers in the NFL.

The Washington Redskins have been rumored to be looking for additional support at the linebacker position this offseason, and many believe that they could potentially sign one in free agency, or draft one in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.

The two most popular names at the position are Cole Holcomb and Reuben Foster; the former was an incredibly impressive rookie last year, and the latter is likely to return from a season-ending knee injury suffered last year, hoping to return to his previously dominant form. Outside of those two, though, people tend to forget about Shaun Dion Hamilton.

SDH quietly had a great season in 2019, racking up 49 tackles and one forced fumble in 16 games. He never earned a starting role under defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, but his production and PFF grades speak for themselves.

Hopefully, new DC Jack Del Rio will be able to recognize the 24-year-old’s talent, and further improve his game over the next few years.

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